Kekuta Manneh, forward of the Vancouver Whitecaps, recently underwent surgery to repair a broken fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot. A timetable for his return was not released by the team, however head coach Carl Robinson has suggested Manneh can return this season. “Kekuta is an important member of the club and we’re happy to hear the surgery went well,” Robinson stated. “We anticipate he will make a complete recovery and will be back training with the group in the fall." This season Manneh has scored five goals and had two assists.

Vagus nerve stimulation is a treatment that has been used to control seizures for people with epilepsy. However, the treatment has recently been used to help people who have rheumatoid arthritis. VNS works by electronically stimulating the nerve that runs from the brain to the gut, in order to get rid of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Patients that have used the treatment have experienced improvements in joint swelling as well as other symptoms.

Because RA affects more than just your joints, including the joints in your feet and ankles, it is important to seek early diagnosis from your podiatrist if you feel like the pain in your feet might be caused by RA. For more information, contact one of our podiatrists of Family Foot and Ankle Center of South Jersey. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep your pain free and on your feet.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes surrounding the joints. Inflammation of the lining and eventually the destruction of the joint’s cartilage and bone occur, causing severe pain and immobility.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Feet

Although RA usually attacks multiple bones and joints throughout the entire body, almost 90 percent of cases result in pain in the foot or ankle area.

Symptoms

- Swelling & pain in the feet - Stiffness in the feet - Pain on the ball or sole of feet - Joint shift and deformation

Diagnosis

Quick diagnosis of RA in the feet is important so that the podiatrist can treat the area effectively. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history, occupation, and lifestyle to determine the origin of the condition. Rheumatoid Factor tests help to determine if someone is affected by the disease.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Cherry Hill, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot care needs.

A woman named Beth Hendricks has revealed her secret to not getting blisters. Beth is 66-years-old and has been hiking since 1980 and has covered 50,000 kilometers. Surprisingly, she has never gotten a foot blister. She says the reason for this is that she has really good shoes. She buys new shoes all the time and states that a pair of shoes only last for a summer. A podiatrist named Kent Renaud states you should wear shoes that are not too big, or too tight in order to avoid getting blisters.

When tight or ill-fitting footwear is worn, many times a foot blister may develop. Blisters can even develop by constant rubbing from the shoe, often times leading to pain.

What is a Foot Blister?

A foot blister is a small pocket that is filled with fluid, forming on the upper most layer of the skin. Blisters are filled with clear fluid, and may lead to drainage of blood or pus if the area has become infected.

How do they Form?

Blisters of the feet are almost always the result of shoe rubbing and constant friction of the skin and material. Long periods of walking in shoes, sandals, or boots which don’t fit properly can result in a blister. Those who often have moisture or humidity in the feet, are prone to blister formation easily.

Prevention & Treatment

Proper care is vital to alleviate pain and prevent infection to the affected area of the foot. The best treatment is to leave them alone. New skin will develop under the blister and during the healing stages, your blister will pop.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our offices located in Cherry Hill, NJ. We offer the latest in diagnostic and treatment technologies to meet all your needs.

A woman named Mary carried her daughter, Faye, to full term. Her ultrasound revealed that Faye had a clubfoot. Although Faye was a bit smaller than usual, she was expected to lead a normal and healthy life. As time progressed, the odds of Faye living began to decline. She was diagnosed with a disease called Trisomy 18 and eventually passed away.

Clubfoot is a congenital disorder that can occur in 1 of 1,000 births per year. There are different causes for clubfoot, usually occurring as a result of genetics and pregnancy related complications. The abnormalities can be recognized during ultrasounds as early as the 20th week of pregnancy.

Treatment for Clubfoot - Treatment involves reshaping the foot through surgery. - Feet are moved into their correct position and placed into casts to ensure that it adjusts.

Non-Surgical Treatment - Botox can be injected into the calf and weaken the Achilles tendon which allows the ankle to go back into a normal position.

After effects Children who undergo treatment have not shown any further issues with their feet. There is always hope to overcome.

If you have any questions, please contact our offices in Cherry Hill, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

There is a positive correlation between warm weather and the amount of people going to podiatrists for plantar fasciitis. This is because people tend to wear sandals and flip flops with no arch support in warmer months. In order to prevent getting plantar fasciitis, you should always make sure that you stretch your feet before and after you exercise. It is also important to wear running shoes when you exercise. The most common reason for young people to have plantar fasciitis is from “too much activity.” For adults, the most common reason for them to have the condition is because they “aren’t using the right shoes.”

Often, people take care of their bodies, face and hair more so than they do for their feet. But the feet are a very important aspect of our bodies, and one that we should pay more attention to. After all, without our feet, we would not be able to perform most daily tasks. It is best to check your feet regularly to make sure there are no new bruises or cuts that you may not have noticed before, for example.

For dry feet, moisturizer can easily be a remedy and can be applied as often as necessary to the affected areas. Wearing shoes that fit well can also help you maintain good foot health, as well as making it easier to walk and do daily activities without the stress or pain of ill-fitting shoes, high heels, or even flip flops.

Also, wearing clean socks with closed shoes is important to ensure that sweat and bacteria do not accumulate within the shoe. Clean socks help to prevent athlete’s foot, fungi problems, bad odors, and can absorb sweat.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Cherry Hill, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Hundreds of children from the Charleston community gathered at Buist Academy in June to have their feet washed and receive a new pair of shoes. The event was hosted by Samaritan’s Feet for the one-year anniversary of the “Mother” Emanuel AME Church shooting. Marlaysha Brown, one of the children who received new shoes, described her new pair as she showed them off: “They're pink and white, and on the sides, they are black”

Professional golfer Ian Poulter has had an arthritic joint in his foot for over two years, and it has kept him from maximizing his golf performance. This arthritic joint has caused him to fall down in rankings and has kept him away from golf for four months. Unfortunately for Poulter, his arthritis has worsened and has made him unable to continue taking cortisone shots to alleviate the pain. Continuous usage of cortisone shots can cause bone thinning and stress fractures.

Arthritis is a joint disorder that involves inflammation of different joints in your body, such as in your feet. Arthritis is often caused by a degenerative joint disease and causes mild to severe pain in all affected areas. On top of this, swelling and stiffness in the affected joints can also be a common symptom of arthritis.

In many cases, wearing ill-fitting shoes can worsen the effects and pain of arthritis. Wearing shoes that have a lower heel and extra room can help your feet feel more comfortable. In cases of rheumatoid arthritis, the arch in your foot may become problematic. Buying shoes with proper arch support that contour to your feet can help immensely.

Alleviating Arthritic Pain

Exercises that stretch the foot can prevent further pain and injury and increase mobility

Most of the pain can be alleviated with anti-inflammatory drugs, heat, and topical medications

Massages can help to temporarily alleviate pain.

It is best to see your doctor for the treatment that is right for your needs and symptoms. Conditions vary, and a podiatrist can help you determine the right method of care for your feet.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Cherry Hill, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.

Fleetwood’s Jimmy Ryan was reportedly been playing with a broken toe during the months of April and May, according to Fleetwood manager Steven Pressley. Ryan had missed practice and had not trained for up to 3 weeks, but had also not missed any games. “Jimmy has shown a great mentality. He has continued to get injections prior to games to get himself out there,” said Pressley.

Although most people try to avoid foot trauma such as banging, stubbing, or dropping heavy objects on their feet, the unfortunate fact is that it is a common occurrence. Given the fact that toes are positioned in front of the feet, they typically sustain the brunt of such trauma. When trauma occurs to a toe, the result can be a painful break (fracture).

Symptoms of a Broken Toe

throbbing pain

swelling

bruising on the skin and toenail

the inability to move the toe

toe appears crooked or disfigured

tingling or numbness in the toe

Generally, it is best to stay off of the injured toe with the affected foot elevated.

Severe toe fractures may be treated with a splint, cast, and in some cases, minor surgery. Due to its position and the pressure it endures with daily activity, future complications can occur if the big toe is not properly treated.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Cherry Hill, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

When buying footwear, make sure to follow these tips. Opt for buying footwear later in the day, as your feet tend to swell as the day goes by. Don’t stick to any particular shoe size and take into consideration your feet’s length, breadth, and height. Know what type of foot gait you have and if you require arch support in your footwear. Try on shoes while in the store, and make sure your shoes have room for your toes to wiggle.

A common concern when it comes to foot health, having properly fitted shoes can help prevent injuries to the foot. Out feet affect our posture and gait, which in turn affects the biomechanics and overall bodily structure. With 33 joints, 26 bones, and over 100 ligaments, the potential for serious injury is much greater than one realizes. Although the feet cease growth in adulthood, they still change shape as they mature. Here are some factors to consider when it comes to investing in proper fitting shoes:

Be sure the shoes fit correctly right away

Ensure the ball of your foot fits comfortably in the widest portion of the shoes

Even though they may look fashionable, improper fitting shoes can either create adverse conditions or exacerbate existing ones you may already have

Walk along a carpeted surface to ensure the shoes comfortably fit during normal activity

Keeping in mind how shoes fit the biomechanics of your body, properly-fitting shoes are vitally important. Fortunately, it is not difficult to acquire footwear that fits correctly. Be sure to wear shoes that support the overall structure of your body. Do your feet a favor and invest in several pairs of well-fitted shoes today.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Cherry Hill, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

A beauty trend that can lead to chronic health problems with time is high heels. Although high heels are a common choice of footwear for women, high heels shift the balance and structure of our bodies. High heels exert uneven pressure onto our heels and feet, increasing the risk of leg and foot injuries. Avoid wearing high heels for long periods of time and see your podiatrist if you are experiencing chronic foot pain.

High heels are popular shoes among women because their style and societal appeal. Despite this, they can still cause many health problems if worn too frequently.

What parts my body will be affected by high heels?

Ankle Joints

Achilles Tendon – may shorten and stiffen with prolonged wear

Balls of the Feet

Knees – heels cause the knees to bend constantly, creating stress on them

Back – they decrease the spine’s ability to absorb shock, which may lead to back pain. Also, the vertebrae of the lower back may compress.

What kinds of foot problems can develop from wearing high heels?

Corns

Calluses

Hammertoe

Bunions

Morton’s Neuroma

Plantar Fasciitis

How can I still wear high heels and maintain foot health?

If you want to wear high heeled shoes, make sure that you are not wearing them every day, as this will help prevent long term physical problems. Try wearing thicker heels as opposed to stilettos to distribute weight more evenly across the feet. Always make sure you are wearing the proper shoes for the right occasion, such as sneakers for exercising. If you walk to work, try carrying your heels with you and changing into them once you arrive at work. Adding inserts to your heels can help cushion your feet and absorb shock. Full foot inserts or metatarsal pads are available.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Cherry Hill, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

More...

Although sweating is a natural process, the body’s way of regulating our overall temperature, certain factors may lead to increased sweating. Our bodies have between two to four million sweat glands, and factors such as obesity, being sedentary, caffeine, smoking, and synthetic fabrics can make us prone to sweating. Excessive sweating is also known as a common condition in which glands across our body produce more sweat than usual. See a doctor if you feel that your sweating is flaring up excessively.

Hyperhidrosis is a rare disorder that can cause people to have excessive sweating of their feet. This can usually occur all on its own without rigorous activity involved. People who suffer from hyperhidrosis may also experience sweaty palms.

Although it is said that sweating is a healthy process meant to cool down the body temperature and to maintain a proper internal temperature, hyperhidrosis may prove to be a huge hindrance on a person’s everyday life.

Plantar hyperhidrosis is considered to be the main form of hyperhidrosis. Secondary hyperhidrosis can refer to sweating that occurs in areas other than the feet or hands and armpits. Often this may be a sign of it being related to another medical condition such as menopause, hyperthyroidism and even Parkinson’s disease.

In order to alleviate this condition, it is important to see your doctor so that they may prescribe the necessary medications so that you can begin to live a normal life again. If this is left untreated, it is said that it will persist throughout an individual’s life.

A last resort approach would be surgery, but it is best to speak with your doctor to find out what may be the best treatment for you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Cherry Hill, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technologies to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Although research on the benefits of barefoot running or running with minimalist shoes is currently limited, it’s important to properly transition your feet if you plan on trying barefoot running. As barefoot running alters your feet’s form, preparing your feet is the best way to avoid risk of injury. Train and stretch your feet by walking barefoot from time to time as well as ease them gradually over a period of months into minimalist shoes.

The Impact of Barefoot Running -Running without shoes changes the motion of your running, as most running is done by landing on the heel of the feet. -Running barefoot requires a different way of running; the landing is done on the front part of the feet.

The Advantages of Barefoot Running -When running and landing on the front feet, the impact on the feet and ankle is reduced, this can reduce stress injuries. -It strengthens muscles in the feet and ankles and the lower legs. -Balance of the body is improved and there is a greater sensory input from the feet to the rest of the body.

The Drawbacks of Barefoot Running -No protection while running, makes it likely that runners will land on sharp objects and scrapes, bruises and cuts on the feet will result. -Blisters may form. -Possibility of plantar fascia problems. -Risk of getting Achilles tendonitis.

So what can runners do to make barefoot running safe? It’s best to make a slow transition from running shoes to barefoot running. Once the feet begin to adjust, try walking, then jogging and gradually increasing the distance. Minimalist running shoes may also be an option.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Cherry Hill, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

Plantar fasciitis is a foot condition caused by the irritation of the plantar fascia, which leads to pain in the heels of the foot. The condition is “the most common cause of heel pain and approximately 10% of people will be affected by plantar fasciitis at some point in their life,” which also affects women and older individuals. Plantar fasciitis can be caused by standing for too long, strenuous sports, improper footwear, or the soles of the feet being overstretched. Treating plantar fasciitis involves allowing the feet to recover and engaging in regular physical therapy.

· Shockwave therapy – sound waves are sent to the affected area to facilitate healing and are usually used for chronic cases of plantar fasciitis

· Surgery – usually only used as a last resort when all else fails. The plantar fascia can be surgically detached from the heel

While very treatable, plantar fasciitis is definitely not something that should be ignored. Especially in severe cases, speaking to your doctor right away is highly recommended to avoid complications and severe heel pain. Your podiatrist can work with you to provide the appropriate treatment options tailored to your condition.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Cherry Hill, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.

According to Paul Williams, owner of Peninsula Runners, those who plan on running should opt for shoes with cushioning. “I think when you have more protection you can run harder and faster, reducing injuries such as shin splints, Achilles tendinitis and knee pain,” he says. It’s important to have properly fitting shoes to treat foot conditions like plantar fasciitis. There are also shoe accessories such as speed laces, compression socks, and foam rollers, all of which can help improve running activity.

Running is a physical activity although fun, can put a lot of stress on the joints, bones and ligaments of the body. Injury and stress on the foot can be an important factor on which kind of shoe you’re wearing. Running shoes should be worn based on your foot type. It is important to find out what fits you based on cushioning, stability and motion.

Determining your type

Speak with a shoe specialist or retail professional to see what your foot type is. They will be able to identify and measure your arch type, stride and gait.

Running Mechanics

When you are running or walking in your shoes, every step determines how your foot is landing. Pronation is the natural rolling of your ankle from outside to inside during foot strike.

Pronation is a correct form of walking or running. It helps absorb shock and store energy from your lower extremities. Neutral runners who pronate correctly do not need specific shoes, since they have stability and control.

Over-pronators

Those who run with excessive ankle rolling. Over-pronators tend to have ankles that angle inward, flat feet, and or bowed legs. This can cause a series of injuries: of the knees, ankles and Achilles tendons.

Under-pronation

Under-pronation is less common than over-pronation. This usually happens to those who have inflexible feet and high arches. Even though there is less rotational stress on the ankles and knees, it prevents any kind of shock absorptions. Under-pronation needs shoes with increase in cushion and flexibility.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact our office located in Cherry Hill, NJ. We offer the newest diagnostic tools and technology to treat your foot and ankle needs.